§ 48. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he can now state if the Government intend to bring forward a Bill this Session dealing with London traffic, framed on the lines of the Measure which the late Government promised to introduce last autumn?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government recognise the necessity of securing the better control of London traffic. They are now examining the Bill already prepared, and will produce a Measure without delay.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the last part of the question, as to whether he is going to introduce a Bill framed on the lines of the Measure which the late Government promised to introduce last autumn?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government at the present moment are working hard to get agreement on a wider area even than that Bill, but a Bill will be introduced without delay, it will have a Second Reading if the House wishes it, and then it will be sent up to a Committee, when the details can be thrashed out and settled. That, I think, is the best procedure to save time.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman, by "wider area," mean a larger authority, or what does he mean?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry if the words I used were open to any misunderstanding. I mean a larger area of agreement, so that elements that objected to the last Bill might come into the new proposals, in addition to those who agreed to the last Bill.
§ Mr. P. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a very strong feeling among a large section of the community that any such authority should be a directly elected body, directly responsible to the public?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the proposal that I make is the best in the circumstances. We guarantee to produce a Bill, and will move that Bill for Second Reading. The House will carry it or otherwise, and, if carried, it will go upstairs. Then my hon. Friend, and those who object to any of the details of the Bill, can fight it out in Committee; and, when the Bill is agreed to in Committee, 39 and comes down to this House, we shall then give it facilities for its further stages.